A Longmeadow Story Long Forgotten

Tannery + home of Edmund Evarts located on Wheelmeadow Brook
(image based upon For Sale ad shown below)

Edmund Evarts was a Tanner in Longmeadow, MA in the early 1800’s. His tannery was strategically situated along the Wheelmeadow Brook near the street now named Longmeadow Street. See the 1831 map below. Mr. Evarts’ house was located next to the Tannery.  

1831 Map Section of Longmeadow

He was a native of Guilford, Connecticut. After marrying Annis Booth in 1796 they settled in Longmeadow, MA. Annis was the daughter of Capt. Joseph and Mary Hale Booth of Enfield, CT. Her brother David Booth had married Margaret Colton- the daughter of “Marchant” Samuel Colton of Longmeadow. Together, Edmund and Annis raised a family of two daughters Mary and Nancy and a son Joseph. Joseph joined his father in the tannery business. His house was located north of his father’s house. (See map above.)

This tannery played a significant role in the local economy, because leather was the product of tanneries and leather was a very useful product. It was commonly used for clothing, footwear, horse saddles and other horse equipment including bridles, reins and harnesses. Some other uses of leather included military equipment, furniture upholstery and bookbinding. The durability and flexibility of leather made it indispensable in daily life.

At the Tannery animal hides were transformed into leather through a multi-step process. The Tannery itself would be a sturdy structure including housing vats for soaking hides, equipment for tanning, and tools for workers. The animal hides were first cleaned and de-haired before being tanned using substances like tree bark extracts or salts. The tanned leather was cured, typically by drying it in sheds or on frames. Finishing touches, such as shaving imperfections, dyeing, and treating with oils were then applied. Tanning was a smelly process.

Note: Longmeadow residents Edmund Evarts and Gaius Bliss were both tanners in Longmeadow in 1820.

Hampden Patriot
Date: June 14, 1820

Joseph Evarts joined his father in the tanning business.  In 1845 the Hampden Co. Agricultural Society listed their members and their specialities.  Joseph Evarts of Longmeadow was included.

Date: Sept. 18, 1845

In April of 1849 Edmund Evarts passed away at the age of 77 years. Before he died the Tannery was for sale. His son Joseph had placed an ad in the local newspaper selling the Tannery, the “dwelling house”, the barn and the property including 12 acres of land. In addition to advertising selling this property another property was for sale. It was another “dwelling house” and 11 acres of land- Joseph Evarts property.

"The Daily Republican"
Date: May 18, 1845

These sales marked the end of an era for the Evarts family’s tanning business in Longmeadow, MA.

Joseph Evarts, his wife Clarinda Cooley Evarts, daughter Sarah and two sons John Cooley and Edmund traveled to New York and then relocated to Michigan. Joseph’s unmarried sister Mary Evarts went with them. His two sons died fighting for the Union during the Civil War. Sgt. Edmund Evarts is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. The other members of the Evarts family who had lived in Longmeadow, MA are buried in the Longmeadow Cemetery in Longmeadow.

As time moved on this location had other uses. While the date is estimated we understand that there was a fire at this location.

Date: Nov. 2, 1915
Springfield Republican

Then, another house was located next to Wheelmeadow Brook.  In 1915 the house was commonly known as Dr. Lester Noble's house. He had been a well known dentist. There was an article printed in the local newspaper describing this property. 

Springfield Republican
Date: Nov. 2, 1915

The Tannery that had been located on the Wheelmeadow Brook so long ago was one of the many important industries located in Longmeadow, MA.  This Tannery is now a memory.  

Additional Sources: Longmeadow Historian's Evarts, Bliss, Booth and Colton Family Trees.

~Written by Judy Moran